Joy's Journey in Weightloss

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Here is a quick update...I am still doing fine. This is day three of no sugar and I am okay. I am really stressed about work and I am excited that I am not making an excuse to throw out what is most important to me. I am going to weigh on Tuesdays and post the weight regularly. So far, I am losing. I am eating enough fruit to help me not feel too deprived (we all know what happens if I go down that road!!). I may let myself have a bit of diet coke or a sugar free mocha every now and then. Still have the headache, but that is more of a stress problem. This weekend, I am going to get on my elliptical and crank the itunes. I look forward to leaving that stress on the elliptical, instead of on my thighs. That is how I have to look at this. I am not going to let it take over. Where do you leave your stress?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

I am doing well on my three guidelines. I have been off of refined sugar for two days. I am also back off of Diet Coke and Starbucks. The intense caffeine headache proves that my body just can't deal with this stuff. I forget how terrible I feel for about two weeks getting off of the toxic junk that ruled my world. I feel down, anxious and restless. Exactly like a junkie off the junk! Must be working!

Monday, February 16, 2009

I had a really good eating day today. It is my first day of sugar free eating after my sugarific Valentine's day. I ate a box of See's candy in two days! Houston, we have a problem!!!!!!!!!! I ate well and did not feel deprived today. I really want to get my act together and today is the first step. As always, sleep is a key factor. I am putting together some rules for myself. Maybe the term "rules" is not good. Guidelines? Part of why I am staying up too late is if I sit down after dinner and don't do the dishes, I will procrastinate until it is very late because I get involved with other projects. Also, I wake up after 11:00. It is a peak time for me creatively. So, here are this week's health guidelines"*Clean kitchen right after dinner*Take a Melatonin tablet after dinner*Turn off computer by 8:00

I purposely did not put food restrictions on my weekly guidelines. I am looking at behavior guidelines that will facilitate my energy for exercise etc.

My other goal is to lose enough weight in 13 months to be able to fly on a airplane without having a anxiety attack. I have zero fear of flying. I have traveled extensively and worked in 30 states. I have been to the Dallas Fort Worth Airport 30 times! No, my anxiety is all about needing the seat belt extender. One time, I lied and said that I was pregnant. The last trip, I just asked for one. It was humiliating!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, I am going on a fun trip with the family and I will not need a seat belt extender! I think that is a do able goal!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

I have gained all of the weight I have lost. I am so ticked at myself. I never usually get after myself when I gain, but now I am so irritated that I had to go all or nothing again. I went out of my way to over eat. I have to put away this childish notion that this actually works well for me. It may have served me in the past, but I have to put this concept away. How come I end up where I started? How come I end up where I went wrong?

Monday, February 2, 2009

I had a great plan today! I had:organic fruit and nuts for breakfast veggie spinach salad with a greatsugar free dressing and smoothie (w/ super greens and protein powder) for lunch,hummus and carrots for snackskinless chicken breast w/ veggies for dinnerfruit juice for snackI also ate two clif nectar bars as snack. I was okay with that thinking that I was having a transition day. I enjoyed my food! I was having a good eating day.

Then...I realized that I had part of a chocolate bar in my purse. I got my shoes on and went to the garage to dig out the bar. I ate that, then, ate chips and salsa, then two rounds of cereal with HANDFULS of brown sugar. Had I abstained from the chocolate, I would have been just fine today. One day into avoiding sugar.

On the plus side, I am happy with my spinach salad. I am all ready to add chicken to it tomorrow. I am loving my homemade dressing. My mornings are going well. the sugar just haunts me. I got so excited about the rouge chocolate, that I forgot about my exercise plan. I don't have any more chocolate in the house and I need to get rid of that brown sugar. I am easing back into this. I am happy with the first half of the day!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

I have gained most of my weight back with my all or nothing way of being. I am eating sugar like it is the last granule I will ever consume. It is just crazy! I just have a block with this whole deal. Thank you to Pubsgal and Miz Fit who are not ready to give up on me. I am not going to give up. I am just in a quandary...I know that I can't tolerate sugar for two important reasons:1. It is deadly for my PCOS and shuts down my endocrine system2. I have a serious addiction to sugar and can't control myself, not unlike an alcoholic.

So, my question is...do I start the no sugar at all way of eating again, or do I use it in moderation? I don't seem to be able to use it in moderation. If I feel deprived, then it spirals down to deprivation prevention.

In this time of upheaval, I have been consulting my recipe books, journaling, making a work book and stocking up on really delicious, healthy food. My new approach is to eat very delicious food that is exceptionally healthy. Eating healthy. Nothing more, except exercise. Still working it all out.

About Me

My name is Joy and I am a 42 year old with a child who is a dream come true (more on that story later) and a career that is my calling in life. I have incredible friends and am in good place in my life...except for one thing-my weight. I have been on every diet from Scarsdale, meal replacing (and gall bladder replacing) shakes, Jenny Craig and everything else under the sun. I think ultimately, Weight Watchers will be my best bet to tackle this challenge, but I am clearly not ready-yet because I still think I can eat sugar when ever I want. Sugar took so much from my life, including my fertility with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. I have to get out of denial and make a change for good!